Dig Lib Arts Co-Sponsoring Upcoming “Whittier History Orchard” Talk

DigLibArts is co-sponsoring a day-long visit by the renown avocado grower and agricultural preservationist Scott Murray (https://berrygoodfood.org/team/scott-a-murray/) on October 10th, 2018. With over four decades of farming experience, Murray is involved in several innovative coffee-avocado intercropping projects. His method of farming combines agrarian philosophy with what he calls “microchip farming.” Utilizing tech and historic sustainable growing methods, Murray is a fierce advocate for preserving farming knowledge.

DLA’s “Learning Community” grant provided the seed funding for digital media and archival research exploring efforts like Murray’s coffee-avocado project. The trailer for this project will be coming soon!

Murray is also serving as a consultant on the DLA-sponsored “Whittier History Orchard.” This project includes replanting an avocado-coffee grove on campus where an orchard once stood as late as the 1940s. The project will geo-reference each tree and coffee plant, which will be located on a larger “Curate Whittier College” digital map. Stay tuned for details of this event, which will include a hands-on workshop.

Natale Zappia is one of the Project Leads at DigLibArts. Zappia is the Nadine Austin Wood Chair in American History at Whittier College. He is the author of numerous works related to Early American Indigenous and environmental history. Check out his work here: https://www.natalezappia.com.